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encaustic cement tiles are over 150 years- young! and because of all that historic goodness, design teams and homeowners, alike, are revisiting cement tiles. even if most of these stunning patterns have been around for generations, they have become one of today's hottest tile trends,

our new artist collection of encaustic cement tiles is a melding of the old with the new. clé is inviting us on a new journey with encaustic cement tiles by inviting 10 creative minds to design their own versions of these enticing tiles that are perfect for wall/floor, and interior/exterior projects.

we hope you enjoy playing in our newest sandbox of artist collection encaustic cement tile patterns created in the same high quality production for which clé is renowned.

what does it mean to have cement tiles pre-polished and pre-sealed?other cement tiles do not have the benefit of pre-polish and pre-sealing. this finish is typically a 30% additional fee.

however, clé provides this finish complementary with all our cement tile orders. this means that all of our cement tiles arrive with the cement surface "tooth" polished away. this allows the tiles to resist surface dirt and helps to begin their inherent patina, right away.

the polishing is completed with a light penetrating sealer that allows the tiles to ship without the abrasion issues that are prevalent when shipping pigmented tiles. this sealant also assists through the first stages of installation (setting and pre-grouting). we keep the sealant light so that it doesn't act as a bond barrier for the setting material. this is why we require additional sealant prior to grouting (to help prevent grout staining).

therefore- please be sure to seal your tiles prior to grouting- and then again, after grouting and cleaning the final installation. *see sealing information below.

i've heard that cement tiles can be difficult to care for. how do i know if cement tiles are suitable for my project?cement tiles have been around for over 150 years. they grace architectural projects around the world. however, they are new to the us and canadian markets. due to this, clients in these regions are not accustomed to these tiles that have a natural unglazed finish and will undergo an inherent patina.

if you are using tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, showers, restaurants and lobbies (all high-traffic areas) even after sealing cement tiles- you should expect a degree of patina as your tiles slowly acclimate to their location. if you are not familiar with unglazed surfaces that will age with time (such as limestones, terracottas, marbles etc) you may want to select another tile.

how much variation should i expect?if you are expecting perfect tiles- then cement tiles may not be for you. cement tiles are created from cement and natural pigments. this, alone, creates tiles of extreme variation of color, pattern, shade and size. additionally, each tile is made by hand- one tile at a time. if your project requires beautiful hand made variation that is perfectly imperfect, then cement tiles will be good for your project.

where can i use cement tiles?please see the "usage section" of the product page.

free shipping questions

does my cement order qualify for your complementary shipping?if your cement tile order is 100 sf or more of in-stock tiles you are eligible for free shipping.

how are shipping fees treated if an order is comprised of a mix of materials, some stock cement and others not?your shipping fees will be discounted proportionally to your in-stock cement selection. for example, if your in-stock cement makes up 25% of the order based on square footage, then discount the shipping fees by 25%.

how do i know if the ship-to address is in a high-zone area?if you live on or near an island, peninsula or require a bridge or specially sized truck to reach your destination, you are in a high-zone area. also, if you live in an urban area that has extreme cartage fees such as boston, washington dc, or nyc, you are in a high-zone area.

will the delivery take longer with free shipping?no, the shipping takes the same amount of time as our standard paid service.

how does the tile ship?cement tiles ship on pallets via ground by one of the best shippers in the nation- xpo.

can i select various in-stock patterns to achieve a total count of 100 sf for the complementary shipping?cement tiles of up to 4 different patterns totaling 100 sf or more will be eligible for complementary shipping.

are there any additional fees to expect free shipping?additional fees, restrictions and exclusionshigh-zone delivery areas - fees vary depending on zoneshipping to an island or peninsulainside delivery, whiteglove service - add $175 per pallet . only commercial addresses with elevator access.non-stock cement orders

ordering questions

*why have i been charged for sealant and cleaner on my invoice?there are many great sealants available for sealing cement tiles. however, tiles will always require sealant before the grouting and after your project has been finished. we provide miracle sealant's 511 porous plus which is their highest quality impregnating sealant. please follow manufacturer's instructions for proper protection. (see video -click here)

why do you recommend that my order contain 10%-15% more to my measurements?there is always the potential of breakage during moving and shipping tiles (2%-3%). also, you should always have additional tiles for making tile cuts during your installation, and to store for possible future plumbing (or other construction) repair needs.